St. Clair County man accused of statutory rape after investigation into juvenile relationship

From the El Dorado Springs Newsroom

Joseph Green

A St. Clair County man is facing a felony charge after an investigation revealed he allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile, according to court records.

Joseph Green, 24, of Osceola, has been charged with second-degree statutory rape. The case stems from a report made to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 22 involving concerns about inappropriate conduct between Green and a 16-year-old.

According to the probable cause affidavit, deputies interviewed a witness on Oct. 21 who provided information about an alleged relationship between Green and the minor. Investigators later obtained a search warrant for both individuals’ phones and social media accounts, including Snapchat and Facebook. Authorities reported locating four photographs and a video depicting sexual acts.

Deputies also documented electronic messages in which Green referred to the juvenile as his “wife,” the affidavit states.

The teen reportedly ran away to Green’s residence on at least two occasions, including Nov. 3 and Nov. 28.

Green met with deputies on Dec. 3 for a voluntary, post-Miranda interview. Officials say he acknowledged having a relationship with the teen and admitted sexual contact occurred over the past three months. He also reportedly denied believing he had done anything wrong.

Green was arrested and booked into the St. Clair County Jail. His bond was set at $20,000.

The case remains under investigation.